Author: Vedant Saigal , Research Associate , Centre for Air Power StudiesKeywords: Loitering Munitions, ALS-50, Aatmanirbharta, Suicide Drones, Precision-Guided Weapons. Tata Advance Systems Limited (TASL) had recently successfully delivered the Advanced Loitering System-50 (ALS-50), or ‘Suicide Drone,’ loitering munition to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Loitering munitions mostly follow the remote control system through which they can be operated at the time of loitering. The induction of the ALS-50 loitering munition depicts the IAF’s ambitions towards military modernisation and securing the concept of ‘self-reliance’ in defence procurement. *****[1] Joe Saballa, “Indian Air Force Inducts Indigenous ALS-50 Kamikaze Drone”, The Defence Post, June 08, 2023, https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/06/08/india-indigenous-kamikaze-drone/, accessed on June 11, 2023.

Source: Economic Times June 27, 2023 10:32 UTC